UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Honor Students

UA Cossatot’s Office of the Registrar recently released the Spring 2023 Chancellor’s List, Vice Chancellor’s List, and Spring 2023 Honor Graduates

51 students were named to the Chancellor’s List, maintaining a minimum of 4.0 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours. 48 students were named on the Vice Chancellor’s list, maintaining a minimum of a 3.5 semester GPA while taking a minimum of twelve college credit hours.

In addition, 64 members of the Spring 2023 class graduated with honors. To earn Summa Cum Laude honors, graduates must attain a grade point average of 3.90–4.00. Summa Cum Laude graduates include: Caroline Beasley, Jenna Bray, Jolie Brewer, Isai Camacho, Klair Castleberry, Sabrina Cooke, Cesar Cortes Espinoza, Nancy Diaz, Edgar Ferretiz, Emma Gilbert, Zulma Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernandez, Allen Hong, Esmeralda Johnson, Jasey Laredo, Kimberly McCauley, Ariana Ortiz, Alex Pacheco, Kayla Richardson, Joshua Servante, and Arrionna Stout.

Magna Cum Laude honors were bestowed upon those students earning a grade point average of 3.75-3.89. Magna Cum Laude graduates include: Saul Barron, Jera Cotten, Jessi Duggar, Oscar Fernandez, Tyler Gordon, Robert Haworth, Alan Hernandez, Bryan Hernandez, Jackson King, Riley Martin, Daleigh Morris, Alexander Mosqueda, and Vonee Thomas.

Cum Laude graduates earned a grade point average of 3.50-3.74. Cum Laude graduates include: Carson Bright, Ty Buchanan, Esmeralda Camacho, Hailey Carter, Reagan Cooley, Miranda Coto, Abisai De Jesus, Daniel Eyraud, Joseph Galloway, Edith Garcia, Angie Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez, Esmeralda Hernandez, Victor Hernandez, Hannah Honey, Maximino Lemus, Jessica Mustin, Kortlan Parker, Timothy Pham, Litzy Pizarro, Kenneth Purtell, Brooklyn Roberts, Kasie Robinson, Luke Rogers, William Sirmon, Allison Strasner, Latoya Vaughn, Kyrell Williams, Haley Wright, and Emma Wrinkle.

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Chancellor’s List:

AMITY: Anna Sutton, Brayden Taylor

ASHDOWN: Ty Buchanan, Michala Scarborough, Meagan Toliver, Charli Tompkins, Isabella Woolfley

BRYAN: Alexis Zarate-Hernandez

COVE: Deantha Gibbons, Katelyn McLain

DE QUEEN: Kylie Bailey, Elise Dean, Kevin Denova, Litzi Flores, Jacelyn Pham, Elaina Rivas, Jamileth Rueada, Nancy Santiago, Rachel Servante, McKenzie Simpson, Kobe Stafford, Jayme Barnes

DIERKS: Nancy Diaz, Kevin Herrington, Kayden Turner

FOREMAN: Landon Lansdell

GILLHAM: Angelica Aguilar, Kasey Frachiseur

GLENWOOD: Katie Clinton, Lauren Fortner, Knighten Richter, Emily Teague

HORATIO: Joseph Johnson, Nicholas Marsden, Saranenkhjin Williams

KIRBY: Montana Cook

LANGLEY: Taylor Kelley

LOCKESBURG: Lauren Carver, Trayton Carver, Jasie Miller, Charlisha Smith

MINERAL SPRINGS: Alan Hernandez, Kendyll McKinney

MURFREESBORO: Tammie Summers

NASHVILLE: Isai Camacho, Jessica Medina-Frias, Grace Myers, Kierstan Priddy, Karissa Ragland, Emily Wallis, Clair Castleberry

UA Cossatot Spring 2023 Vice Chancellor’s List:

AMITY: Kenyon Turner

ASHDOWN: Sara Bowman, Faith Green, Ashlynn Johnston, Thomas Ringgold, Candace McGee

BUCKNER: Abby Clark

DE QUEEN: Adolfo Barreto, Clyde Chandler, Kaylee Coto, Shawn Eastman, Cindy Maldonado, Jair Marrufo, Jesus Marrufo, Diego Martinez, Esperanza Martinez, Duran Morales, America

Quintana, Vorian Rehm, Alejandra Rodriguez, Carlos Rodriguez, Ana Servante, Kenlee ward, Gage Woods, Hernandez Vizueth

DIERKS: Jaiden Jackson, Kitreena Russell, William Sirmon, Misti Eudy

HORATIO: Demi Leonard

KIRBY: Easton Taylor

MENA: Heath Peterson

MURFREESBORO: Mackenzie Epperly, Johnaaron Legate, Jay Stuard, Jacey Saldona

NASHVILLE: James Brockman, Katie Cochran, Cynthia Herrara, Jenna Hostetler, Jennifer Medina-Frias, Lauren Mounts, Samuel Rodgers

OZAN: Heather Castle

TEXARKANA: Heather Cloud, Kimberly Leverett

WICKES: Emily Whisenhunt

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The University of Arkansas Cossatot is a community college in Southwest Arkansas accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offering technical certification and Associate degrees, UAC also collaborates with other colleges and universities to offer bachelor's degrees on its three campuses. UAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other Civil Rights laws and offers equal opportunity for admission and employment. Employment preference is given to applicants possessing a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) with all other qualifications being equal. Programs and activities of UAC are provided to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, Vietnam era veteran or special disabled veteran status, or sex. Questions or concerns regarding affirmative action can be directed to the Compliance Officer, c/o UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. For Arkansas RELAY Voiced Services call 711 or 800-285-1121. Visit www.cccua.edu for more information.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Our state has a deep-rooted history of patriotism and sacrifice. In World War II, nearly 10% of our population at the time served our country in the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. More than 3,500 were killed as a result of combat.

Arkansans continued to answer the call to serve.  461 Arkansans lost their lives in the Korean War.  592 died in Vietnam.  We lost 4 of our own in Desert Storm.  More than 90 Arkansans died while serving in either Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn.

On Memorial Day, we will pay tribute to these heroes, whose courageous spirit continues to inspire generations. Regardless of our differences, Memorial Day unites us in a common purpose, to honor the memory of our fallen and express gratitude for the liberty they fought to protect.

We can honor their memory by gathering at parades and memorials and by sharing their stories their stories of bravery.

We can also recognize their sacrifice by taking care of their comrades who served. The Arkansas General Assembly has worked to support military families and veterans year round. In 2017, the General Assembly exempted military retirement benefits from state income tax. This year, we expanded school choice options for military families and passed legislation designed to remove more red-tape from the occupational licensing process for military members and their families. We also passed legislation seeking to have veteran disability benefits excluded as income for eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by directing DHS to seek a federal waiver.

In addition, we established June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Arkansas.

Our work to improve the lives of our military families and veterans will continue.

The Gold Star Family Memorial Monument is located directly behind our State Capitol and reminds us daily of the Arkansas families who sacrificed more than most. Our hearts are with them this weekend. May we all live lives worthy of their sacrifice.

Texas-to-Arkansas summer externship to bolster ag research, food science jobs

By Brittaney Mann
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Entomologist Rupesh Kariyat developed a summer externship program with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to empower Hispanic student researchers of agriculture and food science.

AG FOOD LIFE — Rupesh Kariyat, associate professor of crop entomology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, will lead an externship program with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

The project aims to provide students the training necessary to work in agriculture. Kariyat, associate professor of crop entomology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, received a $481,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program to fund the summer externship for three years.

The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture. Kariyat also works with the Cooperative Extension Service and teaches courses through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Kariyat said he was inspired to develop this program for two primary reasons: alleviating the shortage of skilled people in agriculture and food sciences jobs and addressing the underrepresentation of Hispanic people in those fields.

“I am looking forward to seeing that the students have a great experience — the best experience so far in their career,” Kariyat said.

Six to eight undergraduate students who are two years into a biology, chemistry or environmental science program will attend the University of Arkansas summer session in Fayetteville. The program will pay for travel and any tuition costs, and students will receive a $4,000 stipend for their work. The grant also provides funds for collaborating faculty members to receive a small stipend and purchase supplies.

Kariyat is collaborating with Bradley Christoffersen, assistant professor in the department of biology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Christoffersen will receive $30,000 of the grant as a stipend for his work to help with recruitment and to fund an orientation for the students before they leave Texas.

Kariyat originally designed the grant program while at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. When he joined the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2022, he adapted the grant to Arkansas while maintaining the parts he thought were most important.

“I thought it would be a good idea to keep the core idea of the grant impact, which is to empower Hispanic students,” Kariyat said. 

An undergraduate research opportunity

Students will work Monday through Friday, from May 22 to July 28, to complete a short-term research project in the lab of their choosing with collaborating faculty members.

Kariyat said he hopes the research and data that students generate will lead to a research poster or even be part of a research manuscript. “That would be helpful for the students, so some science comes out of it, interpersonal relationships, exposure for the students and myself. All these things.”

Kariyat said he also hopes that the students will consider the university for graduate school after spending a summer at the University of Arkansas.

Arkansas faculty collaborators for the year 2023 include:

• Emily McDermott, assistant professor of entomology and plant pathology

• Asia Kud, assistant professor of entomology and plant pathology

• Neel Joshi, associate professor of entomology and plant pathology

• Adnan Alrubaye, assistant professor of poultry science and biological sciences

• Rupesh Kariyat, associate professor of entomology and plant pathology

• Alejandro Rojas, assistant professor of entomology and plant pathology

Kariyat said he thinks this undergraduate opportunity may parallel his experience joining the Division of Agriculture.

“I was amazed by the Division of Agriculture and all these resources that we have,” Kariyat said reflecting on when he attended a faculty orientation program, the “Teaching, Research and Extension Awareness Training” program under the leadership of Nathan McKinney, associate vice president for agriculture and assistant director of the experiment station.

“I am also looking forward to meeting with all these different faculty and different programs on campus,” Kariyat said. “I hope that this will lead into more interactions for me and others together, and then maybe it will lead into writing more grants like this.”

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Poultry house of tomorrow online today for Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

By John Lovett
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The poultry house of tomorrow is ready for research at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

SMART FARM — Industry partners walk through the Poultry Science Smart Farming Research Facility at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

The Poultry Science Smart Farming Research Facility was designed to provide innovations in precision poultry production and to train students. The facility has integrated systems that collect data on water and feed intake and climate conditions inside the house. The “smart farm” is connected to a cloud-based data storage service that is updated every 15 minutes for quick analysis through an app.

Internet-connected sensors allow researchers to analyze how birds perform at certain house temperatures and even order feed when the bin is low. The nearly 16,000-square-foot facility has floor pens equipped with commercially relevant rearing equipment.

A grand opening of the Poultry Science Smart Farming Research Facility was held on May 15 for industry partners who contributed funding and in-kind donations to build the state-of-the-art facility for broiler research, poultry science education and outreach.

A groundbreaking was held in November 2021.

The facility was made possible through a generous donation from Aviagen; equipment gifts from Reliable Poultry, Diversified Ag, MTech Systems and D&F Equipment; and matching funding from Tyson Foods, along with infrastructure funds from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

“As a land-grant university, we have a three-part mission that we are mandated to cover — research, extension and education — and when I look at this facility and what it embraces, it covers all three parts of that overall land-grant mission,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System and head of the Division of Agriculture.

Speaking to a crowd of about 40 people, mostly industry partners, Fields said the project exemplified the Division of Agriculture’s core values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, relevance, and excellence.

“When you compete, there is a winner, and a loser. When you collaborate, there are winners on all sides. And that’s what we are trying to do here,” Fields said. “In times where budgets are tight, there is no way we could have even approached building this facility without partnership and collaboration, and we really appreciate what that means to the Division of Agriculture, our researchers, our students and the state.”

Fields said the facility would help maintain the poultry industry as the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity and the state’s position as a top poultry producer in the nation.

“There’s no question that this facility is the most sophisticated poultry research facility in our state, and some of the elements are unique to universities,” said Jean-François Meullenet, director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and senior associate vice president for agriculture-research for the University of Arkansas System. “That should position us very well with leading research in poultry production and nutrition and allow for quick adoption of our research findings by the industry.”

Industry support

Dave Caldwell, director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and head of the department of poultry science, said the project started with Tyson Foods in 2017 with support to renovate seven facilities. Aviagen stepped forward to match the required funding to complete the smart farm. Caldwell said Reliable Poultry agreed to collaborate early in the project's development by donating all the rearing equipment, such as feeders and waterers.

Caldwell expressed his appreciation to the industry partners and how the facility will impact the state’s poultry industry.

“We're excited to bring this project to fruition and this facility online,” Caldwell said. “There is a lot of advanced technology in the house. It's going to allow us to collect data rapidly, in real-time, and analyze data quickly.

“That’s a major impact for our research program, but also, it's going to allow us to train our students and expose them to a lot of modern technology going into poultry houses,” Caldwell said.

Chip Miller, senior vice president of live operations for Tyson Foods, said the Arkansas-based company has a long history with the Division of Agriculture in research, teaching and collaboration and sees the facility as “the way of the future.”

“The technology and data this state-of-the-art facility can provide will help us continuously improve our processes and give us the tools to move the poultry industry into the future,” Miller said.

Bryan Fancher, group vice president of Global Technical Operations for Aviagen, said the company officially sponsored the project in February 2020 following a September 2018 meeting with Division of Agriculture administrators. He said they sought help with a new broiler research house to do floor-pen research and accommodate a wide range of experimental designs.

“We were interested in that idea, but we also thought we’d like to do something different that not all of the poultry science departments have out there,” Fancher said. “So, we switched to thinking about having smart-farm capabilities, even beyond the research, as a training bed for students to learn these technologies they’re going to have to deal with once they get into the industry.”

Fancher called it a “cutting-edge facility” that will expose students to new technologies and help outreach and “enhance capacity in several research focus areas, including broiler nutrition, management, welfare, and environmental quality.

“We look forward to seeing a lot of creativity and innovation prosper here,” Fancher said.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

Gov. Sanders makes appointments to boards, commissions

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Governor Sarah Sanders announced the following appointments to boards and commissions:

Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy
Barrett Belew, of Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. Term expires on August 17, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Ronald Pitts.

Megan Turner, of Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. Term expires on August 17, 2027. Replaces Deana Infield.

Don Curdie, of Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. Term expires on August 17, 2023. Replaces Kevin Canfield.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/gov-sanders-makes-appointments-to-boards-commissions/

Feral swine to be a problem in state for the ‘foreseeable future’

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

No one knows for sure when swine were first brought to the New World, but it’s believed that Spanish explorers and settlers brought pigs as a food source. When some of these free-range pigs escaped, they became feral, and the phenomenon of the feral swine was born.

Through the years, these feral swine have moved into at least 35 states, including Arkansas. In the late 1990s, wild pigs were a minor problem in southern Arkansas, but ag scientist Dr. Greg Mathis began to warn colleagues that feral swine could become a serious problem in the decades to come. He was right.

There are now at least 200,000 feral swine roaming the Natural State, Dr. Becky McPeake told Talk Business & Politics. A professor and wildlife specialist for the University of Arkansas Agriculture Extension, McPeake said feral swine cause more than $41 million in damages in Arkansas annually, according to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates. The hogs cause more than $2 billion damage a year nationwide.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/feral-swine-to-be-a-problem-in-state-for-the-foreseeable-future/

Arkansas Governor Sander's Proclamation on Arkansas Beef Month

WHEREAS:  Agriculture is Arkansas’ largest industry and contributes over $19 billion to our state’s economy each year; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas has cattle production in each of Arkansas’ 75 counties; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas has 866,000 head of beef cows and 1,630,000 head of cattle and calves; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas has 23,036 farms with beef cows and 25,372 farms with cattle and calves; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas ranks 11th in the nation in beef cow inventory and 17th in the nation in cattle and calves inventory; 
 
WHEREAS:  Cattle and calves consistently rank among Arkansas’ top eight agricultural commodities in cash receipts, valued at more than $524 million; 
 
WHEREAS:  Arkansas exports beef and beef products totaling more than $76 million dollars to trading partners around the world; and
 
WHEREAS: Beef is a good source of high-quality protein and other essential nutrients including iron and zinc.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as
 

“ARKANSAS BEEF MONTH”

 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 27th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2023.

Arkansas attorney general files amicus brief in Arizona abortion case

KUAR | By Sonny Albarado / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas is leading a 17-state coalition asking the Arizona Supreme Court to reinstate that state’s near total abortion ban.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the attorneys general of Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia in a case involving Planned Parenthood of Arizona.

“One year after the Supreme Court of the United States decided that States may regulate or ban abortion, Planned Parenthood is still asking courts to thwart the law and block democratically enacted abortion laws and regulations,” Griffin said in a statement.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-25/arkansas-attorney-general-files-amicus-brief-in-arizona-abortion-case

Second suit challenges racial ‘gerrymandering’ in Arkansas’ congressional redistricting

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

Three Central Arkansas voters and a religious group filed another federal lawsuit on Tuesday challenging Arkansas’ new congressional district map.

The voters and the Christian Ministerial Alliance claim that Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District — which includes most of Central Arkansas – was racially gerrymandered.

The complaint — like a similar lawsuit filed last year by several state legislators and voters — says parts of Pulaski County were “cracked,” or separated from the 2nd Congressional District to split up a voting bloc.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-24/second-suit-challenges-racial-gerrymandering-in-arkansas-congressional-redistricting

Ross D. Franklin/AP

Arizona state Sen. Andy Biggs flips through redistricting maps during a special legislative committee hearing to discuss the state commission's proposed maps in 2011.

UAMS Surgeons Implant Innovative Device Developed by I3R Researchers to Restore Sense of Touch after Amputation

LITTLE ROCK — The first Arkansan and only second person in the world has received an innovative prosthetic hand, developed by researchers at the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R), that restores a meaningful sense of touch and grip force following surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

The lengthy and detailed operation was led by neurosurgeon Erika Petersen, M.D., with co-leading roles for orthopaedic hand and nerve specialists John Bracey, M.D., and Mark Tait, M.D.

“The surgery went really well,” said Petersen, also a pioneer in the implantation of nerve stimulators for pain and movement disorders. “It’s a great achievement for UAMS, the University of Arkansas and our state. It’s also an exciting promise of what’s to come for people with amputations around the globe.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/23/uams-surgeons-implant-innovative-device-developed-by-i3r-researchers-to-restore-sense-of-touch-after-amputation/

Erika Petersen, M.D., seated, pauses to look at a monitor as the surgery begins with (l-r) John Bracey, M.D., Brooke Elberson, M.D., Ph.D., Bridgette Vinyard-Hartwick, and Mark Tait, M.D. (photo by Evan Lewis)

UAMS, Baptist Health Celebrate Opening of New Cancer Clinic in Little Rock; Infusion Center to Open This Fall

By Marty Trieschmann

Baptist Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on Thursday, May 18, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new cancer clinic and infusion center on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.

UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock, in Suite 500 of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, offers expert diagnosis and care for patients with cancer.

“Both Baptist Health and UAMS understand that cancer care is a critical part of providing quality health care to our community,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “That’s why we are committed to expanding cancer services and resources together so that Arkansans can receive the care they need as close to home as possible. We remain committed to helping those who are fighting this difficult battle and ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes. It is our mission to provide Arkansans with compassionate care that meets the highest standards of quality.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/18/uams-baptist-health-celebrate-opening-of-new-cancer-clinic-in-little-rock-infusion-center-to-open-this-fall/

A ribbon cutting was held May 18 to celebrate the opening of the new UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic and Infusion Center located in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Image by Baptist Health

Arkansas 4-H teams compete, place at 2023 International SeaPerch Challenge in Maryland

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — For students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the SeaPerch Challenge is an opportunity to practice these skills through building and piloting an underwater robot. Three Arkansas 4-H teams tested their remotely operated vehicles at the International SeaPerch Challenge on May 13.

SEAPERCH COMPETITORS — The Grant County 4-H Mighty Ducks and Turbo Flare 2.0 teams, along with the Howard County 4-H Shockwaves, attended the 2023 International SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland. Both pictured above, Turbo Flare 2.0 placed third overall in the high school stock class, and the Mighty Ducks placed eighth overall in the open class. The Howard County 4-H Shockwaves placed 28th overall in the middle school stock class. (Photo by RoboNation.) 

Two teams from Grant County — the Grant County 4-H Mighty Ducks and Turbo Flare 2.0 — along with the Howard County 4-H Shockwaves from Nashville attended the international competition at the University of Maryland in College Park. These teams were the winning open, senior and junior class teams from the qualifying Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, held at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on March 3.

Turbo Flare 2.0 — Gracie McGinley, Riley Raymick, Callen Shaw and Gavin McGinley — placed third overall in the high school stock class. Brad McGinley, Grant County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and his wife, Serena McGinley, coached the team. Serena McGinley is a 4-H leader and Sheridan Intermediate School fifth-grade teacher.

The Mighty Ducks — Garrett Key, Luke Douthit, Priyam Laxmi, Jaxson Andrews, Miley McGinley and Madi Andrews — placed eighth overall in the open class. Brad McGinley and Tina Melton, a career development teacher at Sheridan Middle School, coached the team.

The Howard County 4-H Shockwaves — Asher Howard, Ace McKinnon and Kody O’Brien — placed 28th overall in the middle school stock class. Morgan Howard, mother of Asher Howard and 4-H leader, coached the team.

Learning by doing

Brad McGinley said the SeaPerch program provides participants with hands-on experience in important life skills.

“SeaPerch teaches critical thinking skills, teamwork and problem solving,” he said. “I think it’s really important that youth are able to identify problems that don’t always have an easy, quick solution. You have to work through it. Sometimes, you fix a problem and then another problem arises from that. It’s a continual process of adapting and working together.”

McGinley said that for the last seven years in a row, Grant County 4-H has had at least one team qualify for the International SeaPerch Challenge. He said that the trip is a unique opportunity for 4-H’ers — for many of them, it’s their first time flying.

“It’s very rewarding for us,” McGinley said. “We have kids that have never flown before, so just seeing them get their chance to fly for the first time is a big deal.”

Team members cover the cost of their own travel through fundraising.

Game day

Once they arrived at the University of Maryland, Arkansas 4-H teams competed with teams from around the U.S. and the world, including teams from Kuwait, New Zealand, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Egypt and China.

“You’re competing against teams that are the best at this in the U.S. and in the world,” McGinley said. “All of those teams had to win a regional qualifier to advance, just like us. This year, there were 148 teams from across the country and world.”

Since the competition was close to Washington, D.C., McGinley said they stayed a couple of extra days for sightseeing. They visited national monuments, made a trip to Mount Vernon and were even led on a tour of the capitol by a member of U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman’s office. Westerman represents Arkansas’ 4th district.

“We got to do a few extra things, which is an incredibly great experience for the kids and the families who got to go with us,” McGinley said.

To view the full list of International SeaPerch results, visit bit.ly/2023-international-seaperch-results. For more information about the Arkansas 4-H SeaPerch Challenge, visit 4h.uada.edu. To learn more about the SeaPerch program, visit seaperch.org/about.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Division of Agriculture announces LeadAR Class 20 members

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — LeadAR, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s leadership program, has selected 21 Arkansans from around the state as members of Class 20. The 18-month program provides an in-depth learning experience about economic and social issues impacting Arkansas.

LEADAR CLASS 20 — Class 20 of LeadAR, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's leadership program, includes county extension agents with the Division of Agriculture, directors of Arkansas non-profits and leaders of Arkansas businesses. The 18-month program provides participants with in-depth learning experiences about issues impacting Arkansas. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

Operated by the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, LeadAR was founded in 1984 and originally modeled after the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s leadership training program. LeadAR now has more than 500 alumni serving as leaders in their communities throughout Arkansas.

Members of Class 20 will participate in a team-building and goal-setting seminar at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock to kick off the program. Over the next 18 months, they will travel to two-day seminars around the state, covering topics such as infrastructure and public health, natural resources, agriculture, livestock and community and economic development.

“The overall goal of LeadAR is to equip leaders with the knowledge, skills and network they need to make a difference in their communities or organization,” said Julie Robinson, extension associate professor for Community, Professional and Economic Development for the Division of Agriculture. “They will learn about issues affecting rural and urban areas of Arkansas and how the state is interwoven.”

The program includes a national study tour to Washington, D.C., where participants will learn about policy development and meet with their congressional delegation to discuss issues impacting their communities. Members will also travel on an international study tour, where they will learn how international issues and policy decisions impact the United States and Arkansas. The location of the trip will be decided in 2024.

The members of LeadAR Class 20 include county extension agents with the Division of Agriculture, directors of Arkansas non-profits and leaders of Arkansas businesses.

LeadAR Class 20 members:

• Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Sherry Beaty-Sullivan, Polk County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Chelsea Boozer, government affairs manager for Central Arkansas Water

• Arnetta Bradford, owner of HeBrews 11:1 coffee shop in Hope

• Sylvia Brown, director of strategic operations for the Ruralorganizing.org Education Fund

• Harold Clark Jr., battalion fire chief for Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services

• Angelique Cooper, social media specialist for Southern Bancorp

• Meagan Davis, vice president of government relations and strategic partnerships for inVeritas

• Jody Harris, co-owner of Harris Valley Springs Farm

• Jason Kaufman, district director of Arkansas Farm Bureau

• David Long, northwest Arkansas director of engineering and development for Cromwell Architects Engineers

• Michael Mangrum, owner of MLM Farms in Lake City

• Desarae Nelson, director of TRIO Student Support Services for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Winfrey Norton, outreach editor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service

• Daniel Phillips, state surveyor for the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services

• Wendell Scales Jr., deputy director of innovation for Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools

• Christel Taylor, director of workforce and downtown development for the Newport Economic Development Commission

• Priscella Thomas-Scott, extension instructor and 4-H events coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Dan Villamor, research scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

• Stacy Walley, southern lumber sales manager for Weyerhaeuser Company

• Anthony Whittington, director of parks and trails for the City of Hot Springs

LeadAR is supported by program alumni, corporate donors, foundations and the Division of Agriculture. The cost to participants is $3,500, which covers seminar expenses, most lodging, meals and travel expenses. Class members are encouraged to seek tuition support from outside sources, such as their employer, and scholarships are available to help participants with payment.

To learn more about LeadAR, visit uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/leadership/leadar/ or contact Julie Robinson, LeadAR director, at LeadAR@uada.edu.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Weekly update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

Employment in Arkansas has increased for sevenconsecutive months. The latest report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services shows the unemployment rate at 2.8%.  By comparison, the national unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Compared to this time last year, there are 12,869 additional employed Arkansans.

While low unemployment rates are indicative of a healthy and growing economy, our efforts for economic development don’t end there.

The General Assembly is continuing to work on ways to foster innovation, encourage technological advances, and increase wages across the state.

In the 2023 Regular Session, we passed several pieces of legislation designed to continue increasing economic growth.

Act 746 creates the Rural Economic Development Initiative. The Rural Economic Development Initiative is established to provide funds to planning and development districts for distribution to projects in rural areas to further rural economic development and revitalization. If funding permits, a planning and development district may apply to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for funds.

The 94th General Assembly also passed Act 485, an Act to Enhance Economic Competitiveness by Phasing Out the Throwback Rule. Athrowback rule mandates that sales into other states or to the federal government that are not taxable will be “thrown back” into the state of origin for tax purposes. The Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Legislative Task Force recommended the repeal of the throwback rule as it harmed economic competitiveness with other states that did not impose the rule.

The General Assembly also passed the following acts concerning economic development during the recent session:

Act 34

This act eliminates the requirement for municipalities to collect a gross receipts tax on food or hotel stays to create an entertainment district.

Act 477

This act requires the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a spaceport by 2024 if funding become available.

Act 517

This act increases the tax incentive for production and postproduction costs for a state-certified film project.

Act 196

This act reduces the maximum potential unemployment compensation benefits from 4 months to 3 months and reduces unemployment insurance tax rates for employers.

Act 106

This act disqualifies a person from collecting unemployment compensation for any week he or she fails to respond to a job offer or fails to appear for a job interview.

We will continue researching ways to improve the economy in every area of our state. You can find more information about economic development in our state by visiting arkansasedc.com

Former Arkansas Congressman Marion Berry has died

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett

Former U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, who began his political career as a Gillett city alderman and would serve seven terms in Congress, has died. He was 80.

Berry was born Aug. 27, 1942 in Stuttgart, Ark., graduated from DeWitt High School and received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1965 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

He would become a rice and soybean farmer in Gillett, and would serve on the Gillett city council between 1976 and 1980. His service prior to being elected to Congress included being on the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (1986-1994), the White House Domestic Policy Council (1993-1996), and special assistant to President Bill Clinton for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance (1993-1996).

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/former-arkansas-congressman-marion-berry-has-died/

Arkansas motorists pay fifth-lowest gas prices in U.S. as Memorial Day approaches

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Average fuel prices declined in Arkansas as the number of Memorial Day (May 29) travelers is expected to be the third highest since 2000, according to AAA. The number of holiday travelers who will fly is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels and might be the highest since 2005.

In Arkansas, regular unleaded fuel declined by 2 cents to an average of $3.10 a gallon from $3.12 last week. The U.S. average was flat at $3.54 per gallon compared to a week ago. Arkansas motorists are paying the fifth-lowest price in the United States. Mississippi has the lowest price at $2.98, while California has the highest at $4.79.

According to AAA, lower crude oil prices have helped to reduce fuel prices. Over the past week, energy markets have been balanced, and crude oil prices have been stable at about $70 per barrel.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/arkansas-motorists-pay-fifth-lowest-gas-prices-in-u-s-as-memorial-day-approaches/

UAMS, Baptist Health Celebrate Opening of New Cancer Clinic in Little Rock; Infusion Center to Open This Fall

By Marty Trieschmann

Baptist Health and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) on Thursday, May 18, held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new cancer clinic and infusion center on the campus of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.

UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic-Little Rock, in Suite 500 of the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, offers expert diagnosis and care for patients with cancer.

“Both Baptist Health and UAMS understand that cancer care is a critical part of providing quality health care to our community,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “That’s why we are committed to expanding cancer services and resources together so that Arkansans can receive the care they need as close to home as possible. We remain committed to helping those who are fighting this difficult battle and ensuring they receive the best possible outcomes. It is our mission to provide Arkansans with compassionate care that meets the highest standards of quality.”

https://news.uams.edu/2023/05/18/uams-baptist-health-celebrate-opening-of-new-cancer-clinic-in-little-rock-infusion-center-to-open-this-fall/

A ribbon cutting was held May 18 to celebrate the opening of the new UAMS Baptist Health Cancer Clinic and Infusion Center located in the Hickingbotham Outpatient Center, Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Image by Baptist Health

Arkansas' congressional delegation agree with GOP's approach to debt ceiling raise

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Earlier this year, U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned lawmakers the United States could default on its debt if the debt ceiling isn’t raised by early June.

With June approaching, lawmakers have started negotiations for a debt ceiling raise. Arkansas’ congressional delegation has been supportive of their party’s approach to the debt ceiling.

U.S Rep. Steve Womack, Republican of Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District, appeared on Arkansas Week and said the debt ceiling needs to be raised. He added a default is off the table. Womack said he supports his party leveraging the debt ceiling to pressure the Biden administration to cut spending.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-05-13/arkansas-congressional-delegation-agree-with-gops-approach-to-debt-ceiling-raise

Patrick Semansky/AP

President Joe Biden has started negotiations with lawmakers about raising the debt ceiling. Arkansas' congressional delegation agrees with their Republican colleagues that raising the debt ceiling should be tied to budget cuts.

Arkansas group receives $1 million grant to study Delta health, economic outcomes

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

A coalition of organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi will use a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to promote improved and equitable health and economic outcomes in the Mississippi Delta regions of those states, the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement announced Thursday (May 11).

ACHI is the recipient of the planning grant, entitled NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing Equitable Access to Food and Health Technologies in the Delta.

ACHI will lead the tri-state effort, partnering with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, the Mississippi-based Delta Health Alliance, Mississippi-based HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union, and Hope Policy Institute), the Louisiana Public Health Institute, and the Louisiana-based Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/arkansas-group-receives-1-million-grant-to-study-delta-health-economic-outcomes/

Arkansas Children’s CEO hopes to open expanded facilities by 2026

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas Children’s CEO Marcy Doderer said expansion plans in central and northwest Arkansas are being driven by different factors and she’s optimistic that new facilities can be in service by early 2026.

Over a week ago, Arkansas Children’s announced a $318 million expansion that will add up to 100 new doctors and 400 new support staff.

Appearing on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics, Doderer said the hospital’s Springdale campus is feeling pressure from the population growth in the region.

“Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) just celebrated five years of being in existence. I can’t believe it’s gone that fast. It was built as a small community hospital knowing that we would probably steadily and readily have to expand it in order to meet the needs of that community,” she said. “As the population continues to really move up in northwest Arkansas, there are more kids demanding services from our state. What we’ve also found though, is being up there in that corner of Arkansas, we are attractive to families in eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri, so we find it’s now time to expand our spaces at ACNW.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/arkansas-childrens-ceo-hopes-to-open-expanded-facilities-by-2026/